Office for Mac just like every other Microsoft product has a support lifecycle during which the application recieves new features, bug fixes, security fixes, and so on. This lifecycle typically lasts for 5 years from the date of the product’s initial release. As we speak, the support for Office 2019 for Mac ended on October 10, 2023. In this article, we shall discuss the steps to upgrade Microsoft Office 2019 to 2021 on Mac. Please see How to uninstall Microsoft SQL Server on Windows, and how to remove All Microsoft Office Apps from Mac.

Even with the lack of support, your Office 2019 apps will continue to work and will not disappear from your Mac, neither will you lose your data. However, you could expose yourself to serious and potentially security risks.

Although you will still be able to use Office 2019 for Mac. You will no longer receive security updates and bug fixes after October 10, 2023. Upgrade to a newer version of Office so you can stay up to date with all the latest features, patches, and security updates. After upgrade, you may run into this issue “Fix Microsoft Office Showing “Upgrade Required” in AutoUpdate“

What if I do not upgrade Office?

1: As already mentioned above, you will no longer receive Office 2019 for Mac software updates from Microsoft Update. This includes security updates.

2: You’ll no longer receive phone or chat technical support. No further updates to support content will be provided. In fact, most online help content will be retired.

Note: You can upgrade an existing installation of Office on a Mac to a newer version without having to uninstall the version already on the Mac

Options available for Upgrade

If you choose to upgrade to Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 for Mac. You will need to remove the existing Office 2019 for Mac license, but you won’t need to remove your Office apps.

We have discussed the steps to “Remove Office license file: How do you change the account that Office says it belongs to on a Mac“. Forllow the steps discussed in referrenced article to Download and run the License Removal Tool.

Starting with the October 2023 update (16.78) macOS Monterey or later is required to receive updates to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. If you continue with an older version of macOS, your Office apps will still work. But you’ll no longer receive any updates including security updates.

Upgrading your operating system to macOS Monterey or later will allow Office updates to be delivered for your apps

Option A: Upgrade to Microsoft 365 (Recommended)

The subscription version of Office comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps, depending on the plan you choose.

With Microsoft 365, the apps are available on your computer and via browser. One subscription enables you to use them on up to five devices. With Microsoft 365, you always get the latest version of the apps and receive regular feature updates

Here are some related articles: How to complete Microsoft Office 365 Family Subscription, How to Cancel Office 365 Family Subscription

Option B: Upgrade to Microsoft Office 2021

You could puchase Office 2021 for Mac. See how to install and activate Office 2019 on your Mac PC

Remove the existing Office 2019 License for Mac

Upon download, run the tool as shown below.

Agree to the license agreement

Accept the license agreement and click contniue on the “select a destination” window.

Click Install to install the Microsoft Office for Mac License Removal Tool

Enter your password to grant permission to install the software

When complete, your Office 2019 will be stripped off its activation.

As you can see now, Office 2021 is no longer up to date and needs to be activated.

Uninstall Microsoft Office License Removal

To uninstall the License Removal Tool by dragging the Microsoft Office License Removal file from Finder > Desktop or Downloads. In my case the Desktop and move it to Trash (Bin).

Apply Office 2021 License

If you are a volume license holder, please sign in to download and run Microsoft_Office_LTSC_2021_VL_Serializer.pkg to properly activate Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac

Click Next to continue with the Office 2021 activation.